Interim - Head of Finance

Allen Lane Interim & Permanent Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Interim Head of Finance to support a group of independent schools in central London for a 3-4 month assignment. The role entails providing financial leadership during a critical transitional period, ensuring service excellence, and enhancing team collaboration. The ideal candidate will be a CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with extensive experience in financial management and strategic leadership in complex settings.

Benefits

Professional, collaborative culture

Opportunity to shape finance function

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience in financial and management accounting.
• Experience in strategic financial leadership within complex settings.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-site finance team to deliver efficient services.
• Provide financial planning, reporting, and analysis.
• Support budget setting and cost improvement initiatives.

Skills

Financial accounting

Management accounting

Stakeholder management

Strategic financial leadership

Process improvement

Education

Qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA)

Job description

Interim Head of Finance (3-4 months)

Location: Central London

Salary: c. £65,000 - £79,000 (pro rata). Day rates apply.

Start: ASAP

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Interim Head of Finance to join a group of leading independent schools in central London for a 3-4 month assignment.

This short-term role will support a newly integrated shared finance function, providing leadership and stability during a critical period of change. The involved schools have strong academic reputations, rich histories, and are committed to delivering excellent education to a diverse student body.

The Role

• Lead a cross-site finance team to deliver efficient, effective finance services
• Provide clear, robust financial planning, reporting, and analysis to senior leaders and governing boards
• Partner with external finance teams on operational and strategic finance matters
• Support budget setting, monitoring, and cost improvement initiatives
• Champion service excellence for internal and external customers
• Foster collaboration and professional development within the finance team

About You

We are seeking a qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA) who is immediately available and can demonstrate:

• Significant senior-level experience in financial and management accounting
• Strategic financial leadership, ideally within education, charity, public sector, or similarly complex settings
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A track record of improving processes and delivering service excellence
• Experience leading teams through change and embedding collaborative cultures

Why Join?

• Shape and strengthen a shared finance function at a pivotal moment
• Work with engaged leadership teams committed to improvement
• Enjoy a professional, collaborative culture in central London
• Make a meaningful impact during a time of sector transition and challenge

This is an interim role for 3-4 months, ideal for an experienced finance leader seeking a rewarding short-term opportunity in a high-profile environment.

How to Apply

If you're ready to bring your expertise to this important interim role, please send your CV as soon as possible.

For a confidential discussion about the role, contact Rosemary Pini at Allen Lane.